Scott Sawyer Scott Sawyer displays his musical diversity like a badge of honor, re-visiting his blues & rock roots while continuing to explore the jazz tradition & beyond. Since 1980, he’s performed at countless venues here and abroad (Asia, Brazil, Canada, Central America, Europe, the Middle East); including prestigious festivals & concert halls, music clubs and beer-soaked dives.
Born in Chicago, Sawyer eventually settled in North Carolina. Early exposure to jazz via his father’s record collection eventually influenced his growing interest in the genre.
Sawyer has toured extensively with jazz singer Nnenna Freelon and was a member of the 1992 Philip Morris Superband. He’s shared the stage and/or recorded with many notable artists; including Charlie Byrd, David Murray, Marie-Christine Mouis, Willie Pickens, Ed Thigpen, Bob Cranshaw, Oteil Burbridge, Jon Lucien, Jon Metzger, Melissa Reaves, Tony Williamson, Kate McGarry; to name a few.
Sawyer’s latest album “Dreamers” was released in Nov 2013. His previous album “Go There” (2007) charted on XM Radio. Numerous recording credits include Keith Water’s “Carolina Tracks” (2012; guitar and Associate Producer); Bruce Piephoff’s “Soft Soap Purrings” (2014; Producer, electric/acoustic gtrs); “Still Looking Up at the Stars” (2012, Producer, electric/acoustic gtrs); Dave Fox’s “The Meldavians-Farewell to Arigemon” (2012); Nnenna Freelon’s “Homefree” (2010) plus her 1997 Grammy-Nominated “Shaking Free”, “Live” (at the Kennedy Center; 2003) and “Listen” (1993); Lois Deloatch’s “Roots: Jazz, Blues Spirituals” (2010); guitar and Co-Producer); and Bill Anschell’s “a different note all together” (1998). He arranged & recorded “The Glory Of Love” w/ Danny Aiello; as
featured in the Cinecom film “Once Around”.
Sawyer was a Teaching Instructor at East Carolina University in the School of Music. He was also Lecturer of Jazz Guitar at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. He leads Group Guitar classes and jazz combos at the Durham Jazz Workshop, and continues to offer private instruction to a limited number of guitarists and instrumentalists.Scott Sawyer
Born in Chicago, Sawyer eventually settled in North Carolina. Early exposure to jazz via his father’s record collection eventually influenced his growing interest in the genre.
Sawyer has toured extensively with jazz singer Nnenna Freelon and was a member of the 1992 Philip Morris Superband. He’s shared the stage and/or recorded with many notable artists; including Charlie Byrd, David Murray, Marie-Christine Mouis, Willie Pickens, Ed Thigpen, Bob Cranshaw, Oteil Burbridge, Jon Lucien, Jon Metzger, Melissa Reaves, Tony Williamson, Kate McGarry; to name a few.
Sawyer’s latest album “Dreamers” was released in Nov 2013. His previous album “Go There” (2007) charted on XM Radio. Numerous recording credits include Keith Water’s “Carolina Tracks” (2012; guitar and Associate Producer); Bruce Piephoff’s “Soft Soap Purrings” (2014; Producer, electric/acoustic gtrs); “Still Looking Up at the Stars” (2012, Producer, electric/acoustic gtrs); Dave Fox’s “The Meldavians-Farewell to Arigemon” (2012); Nnenna Freelon’s “Homefree” (2010) plus her 1997 Grammy-Nominated “Shaking Free”, “Live” (at the Kennedy Center; 2003) and “Listen” (1993); Lois Deloatch’s “Roots: Jazz, Blues Spirituals” (2010); guitar and Co-Producer); and Bill Anschell’s “a different note all together” (1998). He arranged & recorded “The Glory Of Love” w/ Danny Aiello; as
featured in the Cinecom film “Once Around”.
Sawyer was a Teaching Instructor at East Carolina University in the School of Music. He was also Lecturer of Jazz Guitar at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. He leads Group Guitar classes and jazz combos at the Durham Jazz Workshop, and continues to offer private instruction to a limited number of guitarists and instrumentalists.Scott Sawyer